Kirkwood, Missouri (CNN) – Mitt Romney did not mention either of his GOP rivals on the day of a hard-fought pair of Republican contests, but instead kept his focus on President Obama and rising fuel prices at a Missouri rally.

Polls show the GOP candidate riding a wave of momentum in Alabama and Mississippi, where voters weigh in Tuesday night and where his competitors feverishly campaigned hours before the votes.

After adding extra events in each state over the weekend, Romney moved onto Missouri – and a general election focus – on Tuesday.

The GOP candidate offered sympathy to small business owners struggling with the cost of fuel, and blamed the president for failing to take advantage of America's oil resources in the Gulf of Mexico and off Alaska's coast.

Romney also pushed back against a criticism from Obama over the Republican candidates' rhetoric on Iran. At a recent speech to a pro-Israel lobby, President Obama faulted the Republican candidates for making "loose talk" on Iran and suggested their rhetoric could help Iran's leaders by pushing up oil prices.

"Frankly, it's disappointing to have the president of the United States take a serious foreign policy issue, which is Iran, the state sponsor of terror in the world becoming nuclear, and trying to turn that into saying we're somehow responsible for high gasoline prices in this country," Romney said. "It's a real stretch, even for a guy who's gotten pretty good at making excuses."

soundoff(66 Responses)

American

BILL O’REILLY: Next time you hear a politician say he or she will bring down oil prices understand it’s complete BS. Americans want lower gas prices — cut back. Sell those SUVs. Ride a bike when you can. If every one of us bought 10 percent less gasoline, prices would fall fast. That’s what the candidates should be saying. We need a strong leader who’s honest, smart, courageous and willing to explain dubious associations. That’s what we need.

I agree. Romney is not being honest...

March 13, 2012 03:54 pm at 3:54 pm |

Rudy NYC

David in FL asked:

Both sides overemphasize good qualities, the reality is it takes more than just 1 man to fix anything and the more we bicker and fight each other the less gets done. Am I wrong?
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You are only half right because you seem to have read only half of the posts. Most of the liberal bloggers cite verifiable facts, or discuss original ideas to real problems. Most of the conservative bloggers pass opinions off as facts, or discuss original ideas to imaginary problems. ... Look, here are some samples from page 2.
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Ivan wrote – What needs to happen is an end needs to be put to this Market Speculation
Rick in Ax wrote – According to John McCain, Sarah Palin is more qualified than Mitt Romney.
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Txjack wrote – We see what y9ou have to say when your great obama leads you to the poor house. And you waiting in line for your food stamps and unemployment check.
chris wrote – A day working in the private sector makes anyone more qualified than obama as president, the community organizer in chief.
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Big difference. Huh?

March 13, 2012 04:00 pm at 4:00 pm |

Omar Dice

The current administra­tion accomplish­ments are impressive despite a openly hostile Congress and difficult to cover in his State of the Union speech, here they are-

Ended war in Iraq by enforcing a bilateral agreement made between Iraq and the U.S. in 2008.
Passed equal pay for women.
Expanded eligibilit­­­y for State Children's Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP)
Passed new benefits package for veterans.
Passed new credit card bill of rights.
Expanded loan programs for small businesses­­­.
Made greater investment in advanced military air technology­­­.
Made U.S. military aid to Pakistan conditiona­­­l on anti-terro­­­r efforts
Created a real National Infrastruc­­­ture Protection Plan.
Appointed White House Coordinato­­­r for Nuclear Security.
Granted Americans rights to visit family and send money to Cuba.
Released presidenti­­­al tax records.
Provided affordable­­­, high-quali­­­ty child-care­­­.
Rescue of the American hostages from pirates.
Rebuilding schools in New Orleans.
Passed the new Start treaty.
Invested in new alternativ­­­e energy sources.
Major investment in high speed rail.
Saved GM and Chrysler.
Saved banks.
Market at highest point over 12,000
Passed financial reform.
Passed healthcare reform.
Appointed first Hispanic SCOTUS Justice.
Repealed DADT.
Stopping of oil gusher and got 20 billion$ from BP.
Passed bill to save our teachers.
Has consistent­­ly added jobs since taking office.
Stopped the Keystone Pipeline.
The eliminatio­­n of OBL and Al Awlaki.

March 13, 2012 04:02 pm at 4:02 pm |

Four and The Door

Mitt Romney did not mention either of his GOP rivals on the day of a hard-fought pair of Republican contests, but instead kept his focus on President Obama and rising fuel prices at a Missouri rally.
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This is good and I hope it is a trend. Mitt Romney knows he is going to be the Republican nominee and what Americans want to see is for him to stand up and take the General Election.

March 13, 2012 04:05 pm at 4:05 pm |

ImplodedView

It's amazing to me how disrespectful and petty many of the comments and discussions have become on news sites like this one. One would think that the urgency and complexity of our current issues would inspire US citizens to rise to the challenge, and that their discourse would likewise inspire the utmost in civility and decency. Any confrontation won by drawing from the basest of our natures is not worth the simultaneous degradation of our noblest potential. Please, whether from the left or the right, though disagreements may be fierce, let our resolve to human decency be fiercer.

March 13, 2012 04:06 pm at 4:06 pm |

Sniffit

"This is good and I hope it is a trend. Mitt Romney knows he is going to be the Republican nominee and what Americans want to see is for him to stand up and take the General Election."

What is the GOP/Teatroll fascination with telling themselves repeatedly as though it is a daily mantra that know what Americans want and have been given leave to speak for all of us? Seriously...it's a common theme..."what Americans want" "real Americans agree" etc. In light of the polls, you guys are so full of crap when you make these claims it's not even funny.

March 13, 2012 04:14 pm at 4:14 pm |

Bill, NY

If the citizens of this country want to see another terrific mess, a permanently tanked economy and $10 a gallon gas, then by all means vote for Romney Grits!

March 13, 2012 04:18 pm at 4:18 pm |

ourjungle

GOP presidential candidates, you might as well pack it in....Obama has pulled nine cargo aircraft from the U.S. Airforce military operations to support the President Obama stepped up visits to campaign sites. We can take comfort in knowing that our tax dollars are being put to good use;as we struggle through the on going Recession to provide for the needs of our children, pinch to keep the vehicle going,delay needed medical attention,and pray to keep a roof over our heads.

Four and the Door... What are you going to change your name to in 2013? "Eight and the Door" ?

March 13, 2012 04:23 pm at 4:23 pm |

Four and The Door

Sniffit
What is the GOP/Teatroll fascination with telling themselves repeatedly as though it is a daily mantra that know what Americans want and have been given leave to speak for all of us? Seriously...it's a common theme..."what Americans want" "real Americans agree" etc. In light of the polls, you guys are so full of crap when you make these claims it's not even funny.
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Where were you in 2010? Americans were clear what they want and it doesn't include the kind of reckless, irresponsible deficit spending and partisan political games Obama has brought to Washington.

March 13, 2012 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

Heather

Smart Southerners will vote for Romney today.
Smart Southerners know Romney has the business background and economic expertise to get this economy back on track.
Smart Southerners know that Romney is the only candidate who can beat Obama.

March 13, 2012 04:30 pm at 4:30 pm |

Four and The Door

Amurikan Idiocracy
Four and the Door... What are you going to change your name to in 2013? "Eight and the Door" ?
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RAHS Fixing The Mess. ( Republican Administration, House & Senate )

March 13, 2012 04:32 pm at 4:32 pm |

Indy

Ivan,
If you think gas is more in the US than Europe,UK,Canada and many other countries you are dead wrong,it would be a dream for most countries to only pay $4.00 a gallon Denmark pays $8.00 a gallon,Canada is well over $5.00 a gallon and the list is very long where gas is over $5.00 a gallon and has been for years

March 13, 2012 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |

Timothy

The only thing I have to say about this article and post is PATHEIC anyone who thinks any president can affect the gas market other than the Bushes or Chaney's, I have a oil field in my backyard for sale. Mitt Romney knows because he has BILLIONAIREEEEE friends. He doesn't care about oil prices. And those who struggle to understand voting for those whom are wealthy Democratics or Republicans and think they can relate because they talk southern. Again, I have a corn field to sale you. Then again it is always those who thinks color is an/the issue and really don't know the real issues are misinformed. PATHEIC

March 13, 2012 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |

Sniffit

"Where were you in 2010? Americans were clear what they want and it doesn't include the kind of reckless, irresponsible deficit spending and partisan political games Obama has brought to Washington."

And where were you in 2008 when the Dems completely wrecked your guy for POTUS and took both houses? Don't give me that crap. Polling data shows what people want, agree with and don't like on a day by day basis. You can no more rely on your fond viagra-like memories of 2010 than others can rely on the beating given to the GOP in 2008. Thinsg change quickly with the prevailing political winds. It's here and now that matters and the polls are really not in the GOP's/Teatrolls' favor right now.

March 13, 2012 04:59 pm at 4:59 pm |

al in memphis

Yeah, let's go ahead and use up the rest of the 2% of the oil reserves in America. That will bring down the prices about 3 cents, give the oil companies more gas to ship overseas, and , of course, give those "corporations are people too" more profits. It will also ensure that our children have to beg the rest of the world for fuel - what do you think the price will be when that happens.